Honor Connors and Meier

Senate Resolution No. 119 BY: Senator BRESLIN HONORING Bob Connors and Becky Meier upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen Action on October 20, 2016 WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to recognize and acknowledge those within our midst who have made significant contributions to the quality of life therein; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Bob Connors and Becky Meier upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen Action to be celebrated at its 24th Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday,

October 20, 2016, at the Desmond Hotel, Albany, New York; and WHEREAS, The Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Awards are named in honor of Jim Perry, a founding member of Capital District Citizen Action; it is with the memories of his actions and words that this vital organization recognizes those who have demonstrated a commitment to community activism and leadership; and WHEREAS, Bob Connors and Becky Meier are being honored with this auspicious award for their role as two of the area's most dedicated, inspiring activists and leaders who have spent countless hours working to make their community a stronger, more just place to live; and WHEREAS, Becky Meier began her activism at just 10 years old by starting a petition to save starving children in Biafra; in Middle School she led a Vietnam War teach-in, and in High School she worked as a secretary for the author of The Other America, Michael Harrington; and WHEREAS, As an elementary school teacher, Becky Meier fought against test driven curriculum and for authentic project learning; in 2006, she was instrumental in the establishment of the New England Coalition of Progressive Elementary Educators; and WHEREAS, After 20 years of teaching, Becky Meier worked for organizations supporting immigrants, and has served on multiple local boards; and WHEREAS, Born and raised in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Bob Connors has a degree in Marketing Management from the University of Massachusetts; he went on to complete the Registered Nurse Program at Berkshire Community College; and WHEREAS, A true asset to the community, Bob Connors served as a Peace Corps auditor in Gambia, West Africa, and worked for Housing Now as a VISTA community organizer after college; and WHEREAS, Throughout his illustrious career, Bob Connors worked in sales and also owned and operated a used book store for nearly 30 years; in addition, he was a founding member and community organizer for Common Good Finance, an organization developing a community mutual credit system, and co-coordinator of Berkshire Timebank; and WHEREAS, In the spring of 2014, Becky Meier and Bob Connors founded Stop New York Fracked Gas Pipeline after learning a fracked gas pipeline was slated to go through their town; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, despite the pipeline project's proposed route changing, Becky and Bob continued the fight to prevent the dangers of this proliferation of the use of fossil fuel; due to the combined efforts of individuals and groups in New York, Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the company proposing the pipeline withdrew its application last May; and WHEREAS, Rare indeed is the impressive dedication shown by individuals for the benefit of others which Bob Connors and Becky Meier have displayed throughout their lives; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Bob Connors and Becky Meier upon the occasion of their designation as recipients of the Jim Perry Progressive Leadership Award by Capital District Citizen Action on October 20, 2016; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Bob Connors and Becky Meier.